Bird Watching: Red-bellied woodpecker a common sight

There is actually very little red on the belly of the red-bellied woodpecker, the most common woodpecker in the Mid-South.

Jay Walko/Special to The Commercial Appeal

A recent article about red-headed woodpeckers roused more comment than just about any I have written. It was so well received that I decided to follow with another about a closely related but more familiar species, the red-bellied woodpecker.

The red-bellied woodpecker is the most common woodpecker species in the Mid-South. About the size of a robin, its back, wings and tail are narrowly barred black and white, and its rump flashes white in flight. Its cheeks and breast are dull white.

Male birds have a red streak from the nape to the base of the bill. Females have a similar streak, but only to about level with the eyes. The "red" belly, which provides the species name, is actually a pinkish wash rarely visible when the bird is sitting upright against a tree. Females show even less red on the belly and may have none at all.

They fly with the typical woodpecker swooping undulations, often giving their distinctive "chack-chack" or "chirr" call.

Red-bellied woodpeckers are found in wooded habitats across the eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast across the Great Plains and from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. It is thought that the increase of backyard bird feeders has contributed to a northern expansion of their range. Although primarily nonmigratory, northern birds may move south during hard winters.

In their habitat preferences, red-bellied woodpeckers are not nearly as picky as red-headed woodpeckers. While they commonly use open forest and woodlands, they also use thick woods with heavy underbrush. Oaks, hickories and pines seem to be their favorites, but they will nest and forage just about anywhere there are mature trees.

Red-bellied woodpeckers are opportunistic omnivores. They consume insects and other invertebrates as readily as they do fruit, acorns and other nuts. In autumn, they begin storing food in holes and crevices, but do not excavate the storage holes themselves.

Male birds hold territories year-round. In the Mid-South, they begin excavation of new nest cavities in March or April.

Red-bellied woodpeckers may also evict other cavity-nesting birds from their homes. In Mississippi, they have been known to force the critically endangered red-cockaded woodpecker from holes in the rare mature pine trees that it requires for its nest.

Like those of many other cavity-nesting birds, the eggs of the red-bellied woodpeckers are solid white and round. Clutch size varies, but four eggs is the usual number. Both sexes incubate, but the male usually takes the night shift. Incubation lasts about 12 days.

Fledging takes place at about 24-27 days. The fledglings stay with the parents from five to 10 weeks.

The red-bellied woodpecker is a handsome species that many veteran bird watchers don't notice much because it is so familiar. Nevertheless, it is a bold and interesting species that is a welcome visitor to any backyard or observation on any woodland outing.

A note: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is proposing a hunting season for sandhill cranes in some locations in Tennessee. To read the proposal and offer comments, see state.tn.us/twra/sandhill proposal.html.

Van Harris is vice president of the Memphis chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, a member of the Mississippi Ornithology Society and the Mississippi chapter of the National Audubon Society. Send questions to shelbyforester1223@bigriver.net.